Roland Bersch

AI Governance, Digital Risk & Compliance Lead

Frankfurt Rhine-Main Metropolitan Area

About

My work sits at the intersection of AI governance, IT audit, GRC and data protection. I translate complex regulatory requirements/standards — including the EU AI Act, GDPR and ISO42001 — into operational governance structures that withstand scrutiny from internal audit, external regulators and Group governance functions. I design and oversee governance frameworks that make AI systems transparent, controllable and defensible — from initial use case qualification through to decommissioning — in regulated enterprise environments. Focus of current activities: Design and implementation of end-to-end AI governance framework: lifecycle controls, risk classification logic, conformity assessment and audit-ready documentation ecosystems Execution of governance gates for AI governance conformity and provide approval or escalation recommendations to executive decision-makers. Act as the trusted interface between IT operations and internal/external auditors, ensuring AI and IT control environments are independently verifiable. Advise on regulatory readiness for the EU AI Act, ISO 42001 AIMS implementation and AI-related data protection obligations. Build and mature AI risk management frameworks aligned to ISO 31000, NIST AI RMF and ISO/IEC 42001 Credentials: CISA · ISO 42001 Lead Implementer / Lead Auditor · AIGP (Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional), AAIR (Advanced in AI Risk) (September 2026). Domain expertise: AI Governance · IT Audit · Enterprise Risk Management · Regulatory Compliance · Data Protection · ITSM · Change Management · GRC · Audit Interface · Regulated Environments

Experience

  • AI Governance, Digital Risk & Compliance Lead at Lufthansa Cargo AG at Lufthansa Cargo AG
    Jun 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 2 mos

  • Lufthansa Group (5 yrs 6 mos)
    • LHG Corporate Internal Audit IT
      May 2021 - Jun 2024 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      Senior IT Audit Leader with end-to-end responsibility for risk-based audit strategy, execution, and executive reporting in complex, regulated environments. Proven track record in leading high-impact IT and cross-functional audits across finance, operations, and digital transformation initiatives. Strong expertise in data-driven auditing, AI-enabled audit innovation, and governance-aligned reporting to executive management. Experienced interim Head of Internal Audit with full portfolio responsibility and direct C-level exposure. Recognized for combining technical depth with strategic judgment, methodological rigor, and persuasive stakeholder communication.

    • LHG IT Vendor Management
      Jan 2019 - Apr 2021 · 2 yrs 4 mos

  • Strategic Sourcing / ITO & Digitale Transformation at Unabhängiger Management Berater
    Feb 2016 - Dec 2018 · 2 yrs 11 mos

  • Global Account Director Volkswagen Group at Tech Mahindra (formerly Mahindra Satyam)
    Feb 2012 - Jan 2016 · 4 yrs

  • Lufthansa Systems (10 yrs 4 mos)
    • Managing Consultant Airline IT
      Jan 2008 - Jan 2011 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    • Senior Sales Consultant
      Mar 2005 - Dec 2007 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    • Sales Executive
      Oct 2002 - Mar 2005 · 2 yrs 6 mos